Staff Reports
Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies arrested a local man on a preliminary charge of arson after he was accused of setting fire to ground level hatches for fuel storage tanks.
Deputies were sent to the 11000 block of North U.S. 31 about a fire that involved the hatches at 3:55 a.m. Friday.
A suspect was identified and deputies located Justin A. Jump, 34, of 1008 Washington St., Columbus, who was arrested and taken to the Bartholomew County Jail on a preliminary charge of Level 4 felony arson.
Jump remains in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bond.
The fire was extinguished by fire units on scene.
“This most certainly could have been a very dangerous situation had it not been for the quick response of the fire units on scene,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane.
Agencies on scene included German Township Fire Department, Clifford Volunteer Fire Department and Edinburgh Fire Department.
